What are Question Words?
Question words, also called interrogative words or Wh-words, are used to ask for specific information. Each question word asks for a different type of answer: what (things), where (location), who (person), when (time), why (reason), how (manner), which (choice). They always come at the start of a question.
Question words ask for specific information: What (things), Where (place), Who (person), When (time), Why (reason), How (manner), Which (choice).
- 1↓Whatasks about things: What is that?
- 2↓Whereasks about location: Where do you live?
- 3↓Whoasks about person: Who is she?
- 4↓Whyasks about reason: Why are you late?
- 5↓Howasks about manner: How do you do it?
- 6Whenasks about time: When did you leave?
Step-by-step worked examples
Match the question word: '____ is your name?' Answer: John.
You're asking for a person's name — the thing they're called. Use 'What' for things. Question word: What
Fill in: '____ do you live?' Answer: In London.
You're asking for a location — where they stay. Use 'Where' for place. Question word: Where
Complete: '____ did you wake up?' Answer: At 7 AM.
You're asking for a time — when it happened. Use 'When' for time. Question word: When
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Correct question word: '____ is your favorite color?'
Q2.Which question word for location?
Q3.Fill in: '____ are you crying?' Answer might be 'I'm sad.'
Q4.Question word for manner or method?
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “What are Question Words?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
Using 'what' and 'which' interchangeably. — Correct: 'What' is open-ended (What do you like?). 'Which' gives options (Which do you prefer — red or blue?).
Asking 'Where is it?' for a person. — Correct: Use 'Who is it?' for a person. 'Where' is for places.
Question word in the middle or end. — Correct: Question words ALWAYS come at the start (What is that? not It is what?).
Confusing 'Why' and 'How'. — Correct: 'Why' asks for reason. 'How' asks for manner or method.
FAQ
What are interrogative or Wh-words?
Words used to ask questions: what, where, who, when, why, how, which. Each asks for a different type of information.
When do you use 'which'?
When there's a choice: Which option do you prefer? Which car is yours?
Can question words be in the middle of a sentence?
Usually not. They come first: 'Where are you?' not 'You are where?' (unless informal/colloquial).
How many common question words are there?
Seven main ones: What, Where, Who, When, Why, How, Which. There are also Whom, Whose, How many, etc.